The Official Christmas Radio Times Countdown And Christmas TV Thread *2018*

Comments

Hi. My daughter’s got into musicals this year through the school choir. Was hoping to show her The Sound Of Music over Christmas but it doesn’t appear to be on any channel. Is this a rights reason or just sniffy programming?

The film isn't on any of the freeview channels but ITV3 are showing the Live Sound of Music that they did a couple of years ago at 9.40am on Sunday 23rd December

Hi. My daughter’s got into musicals this year through the school choir. Was hoping to show her The Sound Of Music over Christmas but it doesn’t appear to be on any channel. Is this a rights reason or just sniffy programming?

The film isn't on any of the freeview channels but ITV3 are showing the Live Sound of Music that they did a couple of years ago at 9.40am on Sunday 23rd December

It seems some of the better looking programs are on either side of Christmas. The only thing I will watch for definite on Christmas Day is Michael McIntyres big show. With no doctor who on Christmas Day this year it was a great opportunity to revamp the schedule. Move strictly to Boxing Day and put call the midwife on Christmas Eve. Instead after Michael McIntyre it’s the same boring shows. A depression soap opera. A drama aimed at middle aged women about giving birth. So called celebrity’s trying to dance and a sitcom that half the country can’t stand and even then most people agree it’s best days are behind it.

I thought that comedy group which I enjoyed watching with my children would have done something again but no not even that to look forward to.

Now I like Luther and look forward to it but that and most of the other BBC one highlights are quite depressing. The BBC should be doing then what they have got. In my view it one of the worst line ups over Christmas and new year they have. Same goes for ITV but at least I can understand them not making much effort and playing safe but BBC have no excuse.

I agree.

I always thought that the best thing for Christmas tv would be:

- Shows that you don't have to follow that carefully
- Shows that encourage discussion among the people watching
- Shows that make people smile/laugh.

Personally I think soaps should be off air for the entire 2 weeks
Especially Eastender's which usually covers something tragic/sad/violent/duplicitous or any combination of the previous, which should get no where near a Christmas Schedule

Amen to that. Trouble is they would have to go to the trouble and expense of making new content to fill hours of the Christmas schedule in their place so it will never happen.

They also provide some of the biggest ratings, unfortunately.

Unfortunately indeed.

Because there, my friend, is the aim of the BBC's Scheduling team. Win The RATINGS WAR. It's not about providing entertaining TV it's about what will draw the most viewers.

According to the RT website it says " the Christmas double issue is legendary and we think long and hard about the cover for the festive issue"

Yet - here we have virtually the same cover as in 2012.

Including 2012 and 2018, there have been seven 'legendary' issues. Six of those seven have been a drawing front cover, with the odd one out being the 2015 copy, with Shaun the Sheep and Santa on the cover. Another animation.

Six of the seven have had a blue background, the 2016 issue having a green tinted background.

There are three snowman covers, 2012, 2016 and 2018.

Two with Santa dominant, 2013 and 2017, three issues if you include the 2015, which includes Santa with Shaun the Sheep.

2014 has the girl with a cat, standing in front of a Christmas tree.

The type lay out is all but identical across all seven issues.

I'm not sure what they consider thinking long and hard means, but perhaps their line managers should be asking what they are doing spending so long, and thinking so hard, to come up with basically, much the same.

I'm sure the front cover team, and the Christmas night on BBC1 schedule team, must spend the same time thinking long and hard?!?

According to the RT website it says " the Christmas double issue is legendary and we think long and hard about the cover for the festive issue"

Yet - here we have virtually the same cover as in 2012.

Including 2012 and 2018, there have been seven 'legendary' issues. Six of those seven have been a drawing front cover, with the odd one out being the 2015 copy, with Shaun the Sheep and Santa on the cover. Another animation.

Six of the seven have had a blue background, the 2016 issue having a green tinted background.

There are three snowman covers, 2012, 2016 and 2018.

Two with Santa dominant, 2013 and 2017, three issues if you include the 2015, which includes Santa with Shaun the Sheep.

2014 has the girl with a cat, standing in front of a Christmas tree.

The type lay out is all but identical across all seven issues.

I'm not sure what they consider thinking long and hard means, but perhaps their line managers should be asking what they are doing spending so long, and thinking so hard, to come up with basically, much the same.

I'm sure the front cover team, and the Christmas night on BBC1 schedule team, must spend the same time thinking long and hard?!?

According to the RT website it says " the Christmas double issue is legendary and we think long and hard about the cover for the festive issue"

Yet - here we have virtually the same cover as in 2012.

Including 2012 and 2018, there have been seven 'legendary' issues. Six of those seven have been a drawing front cover, with the odd one out being the 2015 copy, with Shaun the Sheep and Santa on the cover. Another animation.

Six of the seven have had a blue background, the 2016 issue having a green tinted background.

There are three snowman covers, 2012, 2016 and 2018.

Two with Santa dominant, 2013 and 2017, three issues if you include the 2015, which includes Santa with Shaun the Sheep.

2014 has the girl with a cat, standing in front of a Christmas tree.

The type lay out is all but identical across all seven issues.

I'm not sure what they consider thinking long and hard means, but perhaps their line managers should be asking what they are doing spending so long, and thinking so hard, to come up with basically, much the same.

I'm sure the front cover team, and the Christmas night on BBC1 schedule team, must spend the same time thinking long and hard?!?

According to the RT website it says " the Christmas double issue is legendary and we think long and hard about the cover for the festive issue"

Yet - here we have virtually the same cover as in 2012.

Including 2012 and 2018, there have been seven 'legendary' issues. Six of those seven have been a drawing front cover, with the odd one out being the 2015 copy, with Shaun the Sheep and Santa on the cover. Another animation.

Six of the seven have had a blue background, the 2016 issue having a green tinted background.

There are three snowman covers, 2012, 2016 and 2018.

Two with Santa dominant, 2013 and 2017, three issues if you include the 2015, which includes Santa with Shaun the Sheep.

2014 has the girl with a cat, standing in front of a Christmas tree.

The type lay out is all but identical across all seven issues.

I'm not sure what they consider thinking long and hard means, but perhaps their line managers should be asking what they are doing spending so long, and thinking so hard, to come up with basically, much the same.

I'm sure the front cover team, and the Christmas night on BBC1 schedule team, must spend the same time thinking long and hard?!?

Just picked up my double issue Total TV Guide from the small off licence/general store up the road. Going to spend the afternoon with my feet up having a good browse while also watching the snooker. 🙂

Wonder if the Good Life episode “Silly But It’s Fun” is on again? 🤔

Yep, “Silly But It’s Fun” is on. Saturday 22nd, 6pm. 😉

Bloody love Margot.

I know Silly, But It’s Fun has been on countless times but we always like to watch it, there’s something warm and cosy about it at Christmas. It’s also immediately followed by the Porridge Christmas episode No Way Out, and Porridge never gets old. 🙂

Also got my copy of Christmas RT today from a local newsagent in Liverpool, Anthony, plenty of copies of Total TVguide about as well. Due to start my annual attempt at the cryptic crossword, just need to decide which bottle of port to help me along - Special Reserve, Fine Tawny or Fine Ruby? Oh, and some cheese!!